Fanned vent cover insert

ABSTRACT

A fanned vent cover insert, and an air handing system having such a fanned vent cover insert, for increasing air flow from an air vent. The fanned vent cover insert includes a battery and a direct current motor-generator having a rotor. A fan is attached to the rotor. A blower switch selectively connects the battery to the motor-generator so as to selectively cause the fan to move air. A battery charger is connected to the motor-generator and to the battery. The battery charger charges the battery when air moves the fan when the motor is not turning the fan.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The presently disclosed subject matter is directed towards a fanned vent cover insert for assisting air flow from an air duct into a room.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Forced air heating and cooling has been successfully used for many years in many different applications. Such systems incorporate fanned blower motors that blow hot air from a furnace or cold air from an air conditioner through an air duct and out an air vent into a room. By adding numerous air duct branches to the system multiple areas can be heated and cooled from a central furnace/air conditioner.

Forced air heating and cooling works particularly well when the air ducting system does not include too many duct branches and when all air vents are close to the blower motor. But, if the blower output splits into multiple ducts or if an air vent is a long way from a blower motor significant pressure drops can occur which can seriously reduce the air output.

A prior art approach to obtaining sufficient air flow from an air vent is to increase the air flow output of the blower motor. However, that can involve significant additional costs for a larger blower motor as well as any additional electrical power that would be required to drive the blower motor. Larger blower motors also tend to be noisier than smaller blower motors. Furthermore, simply increasing the blower motor output may cause air flow imbalances given that air vents close to the motor will still output most of the moving air.

Problems of multiple air ducts branches and air vents located a long way from a blower motor also occur in many existing systems. Retrofitting such systems can be extremely difficult and costly, particularly if additional electrical power requirements are required. Therefore, a technique for increasing air flow from an air vent without requiring a larger blower motor would be beneficial. Even more beneficial would be a technique of increasing air flow from an existing air vent without increasing the size of the existing blower motor and without requiring modifications to existing electrical power distributions.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The principles of the present invention provide for a fanned vent cover insert for increasing air flow from an air vent. The principles of the present invention further provide for a fanned vent cover insert for increasing air flow from an air vent without increasing the size of a blower motor and without requiring modifications to existing electrical power distribution.

Those principles of the present invention are incorporated in a fanned vent cover insert having a battery and a direct current motor-generator having a rotor attached to a fan. The fanned vent cover insert further includes a blower switch that selectively connects the battery to the motor-generator so as to drive the motor-generator to cause the fan to move air. A battery charger is also connected to the motor-generator and to the battery. The battery charger charges the battery when air moves the fan when the motor-generator is not turning the fan.

The principles of the present invention further provide for an air handling system having a fanned vent cover insert for increasing air flow. The air handling system includes an air processing unit, such as a furnace or an air conditioner, which processes air and blows the processed air out. An air duct receives the processed and passes it to its air exhaust. The fanned vent cover insert receives air from the air exhaust and increases its flow. The fanned vent cover insert includes a battery and a direct current motor-generator having a rotor attached to a fan. The fanned vent cover insert further includes a blower switch that selectively connects the battery to the motor-generator so as to drive the motor-generator to cause the fan to move air. A battery charger is also connected to the motor-generator and to the battery. The battery charger charges the battery when air moves the fan when the motor-generator is not turning the fan.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an air ducting system that is in accord with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view a wall having an air vent;

FIG. 3 is an perspective view of an air duct exhaust when the air vent of FIG. 2 is removed;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a fanned vent cover insert that is in accord with the principles of the present invention and which is inserted between the air vent of FIG. 2 and the air duct exhaust of FIG. 3, and

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the fanned vent cover insert of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is an electrical schematic of the fanned vent cover insert of FIGS. 4 and 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The presently disclosed subject matter now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which one embodiment is shown. However, it should be understood that this invention may take many different forms and thus should not be construed as being limited to the embodiment set forth herein. In the figures like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

The present invention is described herein with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. Specifically, the present invention is described as a fanned vent cover insert that is suitable for insertion between an air vent and an air duct exhaust. The fanned vent cover insert is for increasing air flow from an air ducting system without increasing the size of a given blower motor and without requiring modification to existing electrical power distribution.

FIG. 1 illustrates an air handling system 10 that is in accord with the principles of the present invention. The air handling system 10 includes an air processing unit 15 such as a furnace, an air conditioner, or a heat pump. The air processing unit 15 processes air and blows the processed air into an air duct 20. The air handling system 10 further includes air return ducting 25 that feeds air into the air processing unit 15. Still referring to FIG. 1, the air duct 20 splits into various branches, each of which terminates in an air exhaust 30.

FIG. 2 shows an external view of a typical air exhaust 30 suitable for use with the present invention. As shown, the air exhaust 30 includes an air vent 35 against a surface such as a wall 40. Turning now to FIG. 3, when the air vent 35 (see FIG. 3) is removed an air duct exhaust 45 of the air duct 20 is exposed. Currently, in the United States the air duct exhaust 45 is usually 10¼″ long×4¼″ wide. Additionally, the air duct exhaust 45 typically includes 4 screw receptacles 47 (two on one side (top) and two on the other (bottom) that are spaced 3 and 15/16″ apart. Those screw receptacles 47 are used to retain the air vent 35 on the air duct exhaust 45 via screws 48 (see FIG. 3).

Turning now to the partial side view of FIG. 4, the principles of the present invention provide for a fanned vent cover insert 50 that is disposed between the air duct exhaust 45 of the air duct 20 and the air vent 35. On one side of the fanned vent cover insert 50 is a rubber gasket 60 for mating with the air duct exhaust 45, while on the other side of the fanned vent cover insert 50 is a rubber gasket 65 for mating with the air vent 35. Those two rubber gaskets form a seal to prevent air flow 87 from the air processing unit 15 from bypassing the fanned vent cover insert 50.

Still referring to FIG. 4, the fanned vent cover insert 50 include two fans 70 and 75 (shown in more detail in FIG. 5) that are respectfully located in two air channels 80 and 85. Disposed between the air channels is a battery compartment 90.

FIG. 5 illustrates a “bottom view” of the fanned vent cover insert 50. Bottom view is a view looking at the fanned vent cover insert 50 side that contacts the air duct exhaust (see FIG. 4). As shown, FIG. 5 illustrates the two fans 70 and 75, the two air channels 80 and 85, and the battery compartment 90 in more detail. Also shown, is an air flow switch 95 (described in more detail subsequently) which senses the air flow 87 (see FIG. 4) through the fanned vent cover insert 50. As shown, the two fans 70 and 75 are respectfully attached to the rotors 100 and 105 of DC motors-generators 110 and 115.

The motor-generators 110 and 115 are of the type of DC electromagnetic devices that can operate both as a motor when electrical power is applied and as a generator when their rotor is turned by an external force. Such motor-generators are usually brushed permanent magnetic devices and are well known. However, it should be understood that separate DC motors coupled to separate DC generators can also be used.

FIG. 6 illustrates the electrical operation of the fanned vent cover insert 50 (see FIG. 5). Additionally, several elements not shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are also illustrated. Those elements are not visible from an external inspection of the fanned vent cover insert 50 (see Figures and 5). As shown, the fanned vent cover insert 50 (see FIG. 5) includes a rechargeable battery 130 and a battery charger 135, both of which are located inside the battery compartment 90 (see FIG. 5). Also shown in more detail is the air flow switch 95, which is a dual double pole double throw switch.

As shown in FIG. 6, the battery charger 135 connects to the rechargeable battery 130, and, via two poles of the air flow switch 95, to the DC motor-generators 110 and 115. Furthermore, the rechargeable battery 130 connects to the DC motors-generators 110 and 115 via two other poles of the air flow switch 95.

In operation, when the air flow 87 (see FIG. 4) is high (that is, over a predetermined threshold that depends on the specific application and specific air flow switch) the air flow switch 95 connections between the battery 130 and the motor-generators 110 and 115 are open while those between the battery charger 135 and the motor-generators 110 and 115 are closed. The air flow 87 (see FIG. 4) passes through the air channels 80 and 85 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) and rotate the fans 70 and 75, respectively (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The output of the motor-generators 110 and 115 are then applied to the battery charger 135, which, in turn, charges the battery 130.

However, when the air flow 87 (see FIG. 4) is low, the air flow switch 95 connections between the battery 130 and the motor-generators 110 and 115 are closed, while those between the motor-generators 110 and 115 and the battery charger 135 are open. Then, electrical power from the battery 130 powers the -generators 110 and 115, which in turn rotate the fans 70 and 75 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). This increases the air flow 87 (see FIG. 4) through the fanned vent cover insert 50 (see FIG. 5).

It should be understood that while the fanned vent cover insert 50 illustrated in FIGS. 4 through 5 show two fans, this is simply an embodiment of the present invention. While at least one fan is required, more than two can be used in some applications. Furthermore, while the air flow switch 95 (see FIG. 6) is shown with four poles, this also is not a requirement, but will depend on the application. It simply depends on how the battery charger 135, motor-generators 110 and 115, and battery 130 are implemented.

Therefore, it is to be understood that while the figures and the above description illustrate the present invention, they are exemplary only. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. Others who are skilled in the applicable arts will recognize numerous modifications and adaptations of the illustrated embodiments that remain within the principles of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is to be limited only by the appended claims. 

1. A fanned vent cover insert for increasing air flow from an air vent, comprising: a battery; a direct current motor-generator having a rotor, a fan attached to the said rotor, an air flow switch for selectively connecting said battery to said motor-generator so as to drive said motor-generator to cause said fan to move air, and a battery charger connected to said motor-generator and to said battery, said battery charger for charging said battery when air movement causes said fan to rotate said motor-generator.
 2. The fanned vent cover insert according to claim 1, further comprising an air vent for receiving air passing through said fanned vent cover insert.
 3. The fanned vent cover insert according to claim 1 wherein said battery is rechargeable.
 4. The fanned vent cover insert according to claim 1 wherein said direct current motor-generator is a permanent magnet brushed motor-generator.
 5. The fanned vent cover insert according to claim 1, further comprising a seal for reducing air leaks as said air passes into said fanned vent cover insert.
 6. An air handling system, comprising: an air processing unit for processing air and for blowing said processed air out of said air processing unit; an air duct receiving said processed air from said air processing unit, said air duct including an air exhaust for enabling air flow out of said air duct; and a fanned vent cover insert for receiving air flow air from said air exhaust and for increasing said air flow, said fanned vent cover insert including: a battery; a direct current motor-generator having a rotor, a fan attached to the said rotor, an air flow switch for selectively connecting said battery to said motor-generator so as to drive said motor-generator to cause said fan to increase said air flow, and a battery charger connected to said motor-generator and to said battery, said battery charger for charging said battery when said air flow causes said fan to rotate said motor-generator.
 7. The air handling system according to claim 6, further including an air vent for receiving air from said fanned vent cover insert.
 8. The air handling system according to claim 6, wherein said air processing unit is a furnace.
 9. The air handling system according to claim 6 wherein said air processing unit is an air conditioner.
 10. The air handling system according to claim 6, further comprising an air vent for receiving air passing through said fanned vent cover insert.
 11. The air handling system according to claim 6 wherein said battery is rechargeable.
 12. The air handling system according to claim 6 wherein said direct current motor-generator is a permanent magnet brushed motor-generator.
 13. The air handling system according to claim 6, further comprising a seal for reducing air leaks as said air passes into said fanned vent cover insert.
 14. The air handling system according to claim 6, further comprising an air vent for receiving air from the fanned vent cover insert. 